Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Lloyd Price Lyrics


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Well, now, lawdy, lawdy, lawdy, Miss Clawdy
Girl, you sure look good to me
Well, please don't excite me baby
Know it can't be me

Because I gave you all my money
Girl, but you just won't treat me right
You like to ball in the mornin'
Don't come back till late at night

I'm gonna tell, tell my mama
Lord, I swear to god, what you been doing to me
I'm gonna tell everybody
That I'm down in misery

Well, now, lawdy, lawdy, lawdy, Miss Clawdy
Lord, I swear to god you look good to me
You just a-wheelin' and rockin', baby
Just as fine as you can be

Well, so bye, bye-bye, baby
Girl, I won't be comin' no more




Good-bye, cruel little darlin'
Down the road I go

Overall Meaning

"Lawdy Miss Clawdy" is a classic rhythm and blues song recorded by Lloyd Price in 1952. The song is essentially about a man who is in love with a woman named "Miss Clawdy," but she is not reciprocating his love. In the first verse, he tells her that she looks good but also asks her not to excite him because he knows that she won't treat him right. He has given her all of his money, but she continues to ball in the morning and come back late at night, indicating that she is not loyal to him.


In the second verse, the man expresses his frustration at the situation and decides to tell his mother and everyone else about how she has been treating him. However, he also can't help but acknowledge how good she looks and how fine she can be when she's wheelin' and rockin'. But in the end, he decides to say goodbye to her and move on down the road.


One can interpret the song as a classic tale of unrequited love and how one can get stuck in a situation where they are constantly giving and not receiving. On the other hand, it can also be interpreted as a cautionary tale about getting involved with someone who is not serious about a relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, now, lawdy, lawdy, lawdy, Miss Clawdy
The singer expresses his amazement and admiration for Miss Clawdy by repeating her name several times while adding a religious overtone to his expression.


Girl, you sure look good to me
The singer compliments Miss Clawdy for her good looks and physical appearance.


Well, please don't excite me baby
The singer tells Miss Clawdy not to arouse him sexually as he cannot handle his emotions.


Know it can't be me
The singer asserts that he cannot be the cause of his sexual arousal, implying that it is Miss Clawdy's fault.


Because I gave you all my money
The singer accuses Miss Clawdy of taking all his money, implying that she is a gold digger.


Girl, but you just won't treat me right
The singer complains about Miss Clawdy's mistreatment of him despite his financial generosity to her.


You like to ball in the mornin'
The singer accuses Miss Clawdy of engaging in sexual activities with others in the morning.


Don't come back till late at night
The singer implies that Miss Clawdy engages in sexual activities with others all day and night and does not have time for him.


I'm gonna tell, tell my mama
The singer threatens to inform his mother about Miss Clawdy's mistreatment of him as a way to seek redress.


Lord, I swear to god, what you been doing to me
The singer expresses his frustration and pain by invoking God's name as he accuses Miss Clawdy of causing his suffering.


I'm gonna tell everybody
The singer implies that he will make public Miss Clawdy's mistreatment of him to shame and warn other potential victims.


That I'm down in misery
The singer expresses his sadness and depression due to Miss Clawdy's mistreatment and neglect of him.


You just a-wheelin' and rockin', baby
The singer admires Miss Clawdy's dancing and sexual movements, implying that he may have forgiven her for her mistreatment.


Just as fine as you can be
The singer continues to complement Miss Clawdy's physical beauty and attributes.


Well, so bye, bye-bye, baby
The singer bids Miss Clawdy farewell, meaning he is letting her go and moving on from the relationship.


Girl, I won't be comin' no more
The singer implies that he will no longer engage in a relationship with Miss Clawdy due to her mistreatment of him.


Good-bye, cruel little darlin'
The singer accuses Miss Clawdy of being cruel and mean to him hence the reason for the breakup.


Down the road I go
The singer implies that he is looking forward to exploring new relationships as he moves on down the road.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Lloyd Price

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@felixthecat2230

Well lawdy, lawdy, lawdy Miss Clawdy
Girl You sure look good to me
Well please don't excite me baby
I know it can't be me

Because I give you all of my money
Yeah, but you just won't treat me right
You like to ball every morning
Don't come home til late at night

I'm gonna tell, tell my momma
Lord I swear to God what you been doing to me
I'm gonna tell everybody
That I'm down in misery

Well lawdy, lawdy, lawdy, Miss Clawdy
Girl you sure look good to me
You just wheel and rockin' baby
Just as fine as you can be


So bye, bye bye baby
Girl I won't be coming no more
Goodbye little darling
Down the road I go



All comments from YouTube:

@princedejour2686

My mother used to play this song when I was a kid! It brings back so many great memories!! Rest in Heaven mama,❤️❤️❤️

@sonjar1853

The melody of this song, the notes Loyd Price sings, and the amazing piano just grab my heart..for me, this song is hauntingly beautiful.

@ruffdraught7959

I understand it's Fats Domino playing that piano; heard it as trivia question years ago, I had guessed wrong with 'Ray Charles.'

@larrylewis5721

Yes.....Fats.

@matthewcarey3148

RIP Lloyd Price. What a great song, and he always seemed like such a great guy.

@Mark-bf5bq

They need to make more music like this now!

@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes

Man! 4 people don't like this?! Modern music and culture has a lot to answer for! Without these guys there'd be no rock and roll as we know it!

@James-wu7dq

There are people here that down vote puppies...

@jeffreyshuster4482

Mr. Personality will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to the entire Price family. A pioneering genius who helped pave the way for others. A real survivor. A wonderful legacy. Thank you for all the fantastic music! You’re songs were always in my head. Farewell my friend.

@ernestoescobar1967

Another speciality records legend 😢

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